Chapter 8 Part 4
Everyone fell silent, and Elia smiled gently.
“Thank you for your concern, but I assure you, I am quite well.”
“Hmm, Princess, I’m not so sure. Perhaps the young lord would know better.”
As Elia smiled sweetly, Marcus’s expression twisted.
“Of course, I know very well,” Aksion replied, pulling Elia into his arms. She whispered in his ear, “Hold my waist.” His strong arms encircled her waist, and Elia smiled triumphantly.
“We are newlyweds, after all.”
“Y-you…!” Marcus clutched the back of his neck, his face reddening like a boiled octopus. Keanu quickly changed the subject to mediate the atmosphere.
“But a magic stone, you say. That’s ominous.”
“Yes, indeed. Even though it has been removed, it’s not a common occurrence.”
Given the gravity of the topic, everyone’s attention was focused. Throughout history, magic stones had been symbols of ill fortune. They always attracted monsters, causing significant damage, well-documented in historical records. If this recent campaign had failed, the northern regions could have faced significant sacrifices.
Marcus, displeased with the diverted attention, seized the moment to step forward.
“It’s all because the root cause still exists, isn’t it?”
The term “root cause” clearly referred to Aksion. In a gathering of all the elders, it was expected that not all opinions would align, but this statement crossed the line.
“Elder Marcus, you are going too far,” another elder interjected, attempting to mediate, but Marcus ignored him, continuing with a smirk.
“I’m not wrong, am I?”
Keanu sighed and shook his head at Marcus’s obstinate attitude.
“Anyway, we must ensure that the extermination of monsters in other regions is completed without issue. We can’t let our guard down.”
The extermination campaigns in other areas, besides the marshlands, were not yet finished. One such area was the Birun Plains, where the elders’ knights were struggling to complete the task.
“In the Birun Plains, wouldn’t it be most effective to set fires? Burn everything to the ground.”
“Fire,” Keanu mused, rubbing his chin. It wasn’t a bad idea. The plains were vast and uninhabited, so a wildfire could eradicate the monsters without causing casualties.
“I’ll prepare the oil.”
Marcus’s eyes gleamed as Keanu seemed to consider his suggestion.
“Wait a moment.”
A sudden voice drew everyone’s attention to Elia.
“I believe there are nearby villages. In this dry season, a fire could easily spread uncontrollably.”
“Then what do you suggest we do?” Marcus glared at her, clearly annoyed, but Elia was unfazed by his hostility.
“Instead of fire, we should use the terrain. The monsters in that area are known to be weak against water. The Birun Plains are naturally indented, making it easy for water to pool there.”
The Birun Plains were unique, with the entire area slightly sunken, prone to collecting water or snow. While the monsters didn’t appear in winter due to the snow, they became rampant in spring.
Keanu showed interest and asked, “Have you looked into this beforehand?”
“I memorized the geography of the northern regions and the habitats of the monsters.”
“Impressive,” Keanu remarked, and admiring glances were cast toward Elia. Marcus’s suggestion was quickly forgotten, and he flushed with anger.
“Using geography… she should be preparing to bear children instead.”
“Marcus…!” Keanu was on the verge of raising his voice when Marcus’s body was lifted off the ground.
“Watch your mouth,” Aksion said, gripping Marcus by the collar. Despite his massive frame, Marcus struggled futilely, his feet dangling in the air.
“I won’t tolerate anyone insulting my wife.”
With a cold warning, Aksion flung Marcus to the floor.
“Ugh…!” Marcus doubled over in pain, coughing.
As he glared at Aksion, gasping for breath, Aksion’s icy stare silenced him. Even Marcus’s followers hesitated, taking a step back.
Finally, Marcus crawled out of the banquet hall in disgrace.
“He has always had a loose tongue,” one elder commented.
“If he can correct it now, it might be for the best,” another added.
No one, apart from his loyal followers, showed any sympathy for Marcus. It was somewhat excessive, but honestly, it felt refreshing.
The elders soon split into their respective factions. Those who had been neutral seemed to have drifted towards Aksion’s side.
“May I speak with you for a moment?” Keanu asked, turning to Aksion. It was beneficial for Aksion to get closer to the elders, especially Keanu.
Elia smiled and nodded, “I’ll rest for a while.”
“I’ll be back soon,” Aksion said, leading a group away.
Elia picked up a glass of champagne and headed to the balcony. It was quiet outside, separated by a door and curtains from the banquet hall. The gentle breeze made her feel drowsy.
She recalled the events from earlier.
‘The elders are splitting,’ she mused. Keanu’s recent moves had significantly reduced the neutral faction. She was curious about Marcus’s followers and their plans.
‘Let’s see what they’re up to,’ Elia decided. She cast a spell on the glass door, inscribing a magical seal.
‘There’s nothing more convenient than a spying spell,’ she thought, but spying magic had its limitations. She could only observe those she had met before and who were nearby. Fortunately, Marcus hadn’t gone far, and his image appeared on the glass.
[Damn that guy!] Marcus raged, stomping around.
[Don’t get too worked up. The Duke plans to take action soon. We’ve been patient long enough,] another elder consoled him.
[He should. This situation wouldn’t have arisen if we hadn’t kept someone unfit in the family!] Marcus fumed, but the other elder disagreed.
[What do you mean? He is the only heir. And now he can use holy power.]
[True, he was incomplete before, but…] the other elder’s voice trailed off with concern, but Marcus remained adamant, unaware that his words were like a curse.
[Who knows when that holy power might disappear!]
[But the Duke…] The elder hesitated, a brief silence followed. The real reason for the factional divide was the current Duke’s qualifications.
[He used all his strength to subdue the barbarians!]
[Hmm.]
Tartan had lost his holy power. The elders firmly believed that, but it wasn’t true.
‘It was because of the demon,’ Elia thought.
In the past, Tartan had exhausted his holy power to reflect the demon sealed in the false Sun Sword. The demon’s essence transferred to Aksion, but his powerful holy energy destroyed the demon’s consciousness, leaving only its strength in the child’s body.
Regardless of the truth, Tartan’s loss of holy power was an unspoken taboo.
Marcus muttered to himself, [Holy power or not, we should choose an heir from the collateral line who can use it.]
Marcus opposed the legitimate heir because his son was a holy power user. Elia ended the spell, having heard enough.
‘I understand the situation now,’ she thought.
The factional divide and the current circumstances were clearer.
‘I wonder what the Duke’s plans are.’
Elia was curious about the actions the Duke had declared, causing everyone to gather. Moreover,
‘If the Sun Sword truly stores time,’ she thought, ‘I need to retrieve it from Tartan soon.’
“I didn’t expect to use it so soon,” Elia muttered, looking at her hand. A bracelet binding Sasha was connected to the Sun Sword by an invisible thread, allowing her to trace its location.
“Let me check it for a moment.”
Elia closed her eyes, connecting her consciousness to the thread. While her body remained on the balcony, her mind followed the invisible thread. It led her to the central castle, to Duke Tartan’s bedroom. He was there, clutching the Sun Sword, having returned after a brief appearance at the banquet.
